Many contracts under one name
An energy agreement can mean a retail supply contract with an energy service company, a lease of roof or land space to a solar developer, a power purchase agreement for on-site generation, an energy services agreement for efficiency upgrades, or a community solar subscription. In New York, retail energy suppliers are overseen by the Public Service Commission, and consumer protections for residential and small business customers differ from those for larger commercial accounts. The terms that matter vary by type, but long duration is common to most of them. Read each one as a commitment that may outlast your current lease, your ownership of the property, or your business plan.
Terms that cause trouble later
Price escalators, and variable rates that follow an introductory period, can change the economics significantly. Early termination fees, automatic renewal, and assignment clauses matter if you sell the building or move the business. Solar leases and similar arrangements may involve filings in the property records that complicate a sale or refinancing, and a lender or landlord may need to consent. Ask who owns the equipment, who maintains it, who keeps the tax credits and renewable energy credits, and what happens when the roof needs repair. Keep copies of the marketing materials, because what was promised in a pitch may differ from the contract.
Before you sign, or after
We review the agreement against your plans for the property and the business over its full term. That includes checking whether the counterparty is properly licensed, whether savings estimates are tied to any enforceable commitment, and whether your mortgage, lease, or condominium rules restrict the installation. If you have already signed and want out, many agreements still leave room to negotiate, and some consumer contracts carry cancellation rights that must be used quickly. A first conversation focuses on the decision in front of you and the handful of clauses that will matter most.
